Chapter One   In my dream I was an arrow, dashing through the air. I was fast and all I ever heard was the loud gush of wind as it falls behind me. I spun fast and strong, brave and head on towards a target I didn’t know what and didn’t even care where. I felt joyous. I felt free. And then peculiarly, I heard something ringing and felt shaking? Is this an earthquake? But if I’m suspended in the air, how am I supposed to feel the earth trembling?   When I opened my eyes, everything made sense. Of course I am no arrow I’m a person. Reality hit me like a boulder and I immediately felt sluggish. What a way to start my morning, regretting that I was brought into this world a human being and not a spinning arrow. The ringing came from my blaring alarm clock staring at me from my bedside table, and I cannot fathom how I want to drown the bloody thing in buckets of water for ringing, yet on second note it’s just a poor clock and it serves me well. The shaking on the other hand came from Secretary Kim, my personal assistant, also my very own—not to mention living and breathing—to-do list.   It’s a Saturday and I don’t want to get up. Who get’s up early on Saturday mornings anyway? Even the prime minister sleeps in this day of the week right? But I of course am no prime minister, bummer, it would’ve been much cooler if I were one. Yet I’m no ordinary person as well, and I’ve already established the fact that I am not a spinning arrow—another bummer—so let’s just say that I am the most important woman in the whole of Daehan Minguk. However, I’m not just any other woman for I bear the responsibility of a royal bloodline, a dynasty, a monarchy and a crown that I soon will assume.   But I am also late for my royal duties.   “Good morning, your highness, it is time to greet the elders.” Said my secretary in her textbook Korean, as she reached out to shut my alarm. See that? A breathing to-do list.   “Yes, I am up Soojin.” I mumbled even though I was still pretty much slumped in bed, unmovable.   “Her majesty the queen also requested your personal audience for this morning, she said it’s about important state matters.” She continued.   Upon hearing the news I felt my entire system boot up and switch on. State matters on this bloody hour?   “The queen says it is very important, your highness, I suggest we move with haste.” Said Soojin, her voice filled with conviction meaning the matter must be really important.   What could have happen to my country whilst we were all asleep? Or at least most of the population. Did the North made another of their nonsensical declaration of war? I thought the parliament already learned their lesson when it comes to the phony royals of our northern neighbor.   “What is it about?” I asked, getting up, finally decided to start the day.   “State matters, your highness.” Answered she and I almost rolled my eyes.   “Secretary Kim, I need to know. Stop beating around the bush.” I said and headed towards the bathroom, my assistant trailing behind.   “It’s about yesterday’s happenings, your highness. I’m afraid the queen has pressing concerns with it.” She answered.   “If it is about me, horseback riding, I don’t see why it is of national concern.” I answered, a little bit annoyed, well actually I am for all mornings in my life.   “Your pictures made it to the front page of every news paper in the country, your highness.” Now I finally understand why mother is making such a huge concern. “I’m afraid the queen finds it very inappropriate, making it a state concern.”   “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I scolded and finally made haste to prepare. “Secretary Kim, how many times do I have to tell you that when it regards to matters like this you have to inform me immediately. You are impossible!” I said the last words in exasperation.   And that is about my usual morning routine. It’s nothing new actually, being a royal means you’ll always have the media trailing and sniffing your trace wherever you go and whatever you do. Yesterday I just happened to ride horses with a person who can also be considered of public concern. How stupid was I to accommodate the son of the prime minister in the royal stables? Well in my own consideration, apparently not so. He visited, I have to welcome him and treat him with hospitability because that’s what normal people do, right? Not to mention he is my friend. Now with the final piece of the puzzle at hand, I am absolutely sure this is another dating rumor between him and I that the press is happily feeding the common people. Great. How many times has this been on the news just this month, twenty?   And how many times are we supposed to tell the press that there is absolutely nothing going on between Jaehyun and I? Either their heads are made of peanuts or their ears are shut with steel.   My mother, the current queen of Korea, also known as the modern Cinderella but more importantly the ruler of my life—her imperial majesty, queen consort Hyejeong from the common house of Im—will not be pleased. Well she already is not but for heavens sake, do I have to go through all of this again?   The clear answer to that was of course, a yes.   “When will you be responsible enough, young lady?” asked my mother, her arms still tucked gracefully inside her beautiful hanbok. Here we go again.   “Hyejeong ah, go easy on the little girl. She’s still learning.” Said my grandmother, the dowager queen Insook.   “No your majesty,” answered my mother, “she has to be responsible now. How old is she? Seventeen, a year away from legal age and not too long before she ascends to the throne. When will she learn? Now is not the time for flirting, how many times do I have to emphasize that?   “How many times do I have to say it, over and over again that you must never be seen alone with anyone, especially a boy. No, especially that boy! I thought you knew better, Yeona. And he’s the prime minister’s son of all people; this is uproar in politics. An innocent relationship between the two of you can mean a political conspiracy for everybody, you do know how grave this is, right, young lady?”   Rule of being a royal, be careful whom you surround yourself with. The next thing you know the public is already talking about plotting conspiracy or tax evasions, bribery or worse treason. Being a crown princess does not only mean that I get to be the most important woman in the country, it also makes me the most controversial political and public figure. My mere presence could cause quite a stir.   “Umma mama,” I answered nevertheless. Another important princess lesson, a royal must stand up to her actions. So with the voice I practiced and learned all my life I reminded myself, with conviction and authority, before proceeding, anyway I have to defend myself as well.   “With all due respect, I am well aware of my duties and in my defense I was only acting out of responsibility yesterday. It was a Friday, I was visiting my horse to relax and have a bit of fresh air and it just so happened that the prime minister’s son was visiting the royal stables as well. Of course I have to treat my guest with hospitability, and so we rode out for half an hour. I excused myself early because I know it was inappropriate to be seen with him for long and went straight to my room, nothing more. And if it isn’t so obvious already, I didn’t invite him, he entered the palace on his own will. ”   On that note my mother made a rather shaky sigh. It’s her way of calming her nerves.   “It would have been fine,” said she, yet I highly believe she thinks otherwise. “You were just careless enough to let the paparazzi catch on you again and for the twentieth time this month? If there is any other time to be honest with me, I bet this is it, so tell me the truth, is there something going on with you and that boy?”   “Why don’t we blame the palace security then?” this time my own rage has been getting up on